Improvement in cartridge-loading devices



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H WATKEYS- Patented May 21, 1878.

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CaJ'rt'rige-Loading Device. No. 203,967.

N. PETERS, PHcTc-LTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, C.

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W//f/E55Es dfa 4 N WASHINGTON o C ,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY WATKEYS, OF SYRAGUSE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-LOADING DEVICES.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,967, dated May 21, 1878; application filed March 29, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY WATKEYs, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ammunition-Case and Loading Apparatus Combined, of which the following, taken in connectionwiththe accompanyin g drawing, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a case designed to completely equip the sportsman with ammunition andimplements requisite for expeditiously and conveniently loading breech-loading shotguns; and it consists in a novel construction and arrangement with a case of apparatus and devices hereinafter described, whereby the sameis adapted for use in connection with guns of various caliber, the loading of shells or cartridges is facilitated, and-loaded shells or cartridges can be transported with safety.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective exterior view of the case in position for loading the gun; Fig. 2, an enlarged plan view of same when in position for charging the shells or cartridges; Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section on line w x in Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 4b are detail views of the loading apparatus, illustrating modifications of its construction; Fig. 5, an enlarged detail view of the so-called loading-block; Fig. 6, a longitudinal sectionon line a," m1 in Fig. 2'; and Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are longitudinal sections, respectively, on lines x2 :102, 063.703, and x4 x4 in Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A A represent the case, composed of wood or other suitable material, and formed in two parts,hinged to each other, to admit of folding it in a compact and convenient form for transportation and carrying about, and of readily unfolding it when required for use, A constituting the ammunition-case, and Al the loading apparatus. The former has its interior divided into a series of compartments, of proper form and dimensions, to contain the various parts of ammunition, and,more or less, the implements requisite for loading and cleaning the gun, all arranged in such manner as to render them convenient of access when required for use.

In the accompanying drawing this arrangement is represented by the longitudinal partitions a al a2 and transverse partitions b, b, b2, and 113, respectively. The first partition ais at a proper distance from the side of the case to admit between them the ordinary powder-V case, such as is at present in the market, the transverse partition b dividing it into two compartments, numbered 1 and 2, respectively, in the drawing, each of a proper length to contain one of said cases.

The partition b is extended only partly the height of the compartments, and is provided with a slot, s, for the reception of a screw-driver, the handle of which is iitted between the screwcaps of the two powder-cases, and thus, in con'- junction with the said partition, prevents the said caps from working loose. Adjacent to the compartments 1 and 2 are compartments 3, 4, and 5, formed by the partition a', parallel with a, and by cross-partitions b1 b2, equidistant from the end of the case, and a distance apart to form a receptacle, c, for a cap-box between the screw-caps of the shot-cans arranged in the compartments 3 and 4, and protruding with their mouth-pieces through excisions d inone yside of partitions bl b2. The cap-box, being wedged between the screw-covers ofthe shot-cans, prevents either of them from opening during transportation. The remainder of the compartment 5is utilized as a receptacle lfor the oil-bottle.

The shot-cans aforesaid are provided with detachable cups, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9 ofthe drawing, into which cups the shot and powder are poured from the cans, so as to admit of dipping them out with the shotgages used in charging the shells, and thus facilitate this latter operation. V

Another longitudinal partition, a2, forms along the side of the case a receptacle, 8, for the extra interchangeable loading-block or diaphragm hereinafter described, or for extra shells, as may be desired. The space remaining between partitions al and a2 is divided by cross-partitions b3 into two compartments, 6 and 7, respectively, for roads, and for a funnel, cork-screw, and other small implements.

A movable lid, l, is fitted over the compartments 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, to retain their contents in their respective places during the transportation of the case.

The loading apparatus A' is hinged to the ammunition-case A, as aforesaid. Its interior is provided with a perforated diaphragm, or so-called loadingblock,f, occupying the greater portion thereof, and arranged so that when the case is opened, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the charging-mouths e of the shell -receptacles r are brought to the top. The remaining portion of the case is divided by a longitudinal partition, m, forming along the side of the case a deep receptacle, 9, for interchangeable sections of the loading-block hereinafter described, or for extra shells or cartridges in case the former is not required.

The part adjacent to the loading-block f is divided by a horizontal partition, fn., and that portion which, when the case is open, is at the top is subdivided by a transverse partition, n', forming compartments l0 and 1l, respectively, for the loading-stick and the powder and shot measure.

A movable lid, o, is fitted over the compartments 9, l0, and l1, to retain their contents during transportation of the case.

The bottom of the case A', forming the top of the ammunition-case and loading apparatus combined, when closed, as shown in Fig. l of the drawing, is hinged at the partition m, so

as to give access to the cap end of the shells or cartridges contained in the loading-block, and loaded ready for use, and also to the compartment l2, formed by the division n, before described, which compartment is intended as a Stowaway for the cleaning-rod. Since this implement is frequently required while wildfowl shooting, and on other occasions when rapid use ofthe gun is required, its conti guity to the loading-block and shell-case is essential, in order to render it convenient of access without the necessity of opening, and thus inverting the aforesaid position of the loading apparatus.

The inner surface of the lid u is lined with cloth, leather, rubber, or other suitable material, forming a cushion for the cap end of the shell, and thus further insuring its safety in transportation.

To accommodate shells of various lengths, the loading-block f is secured in its position in the case A by a clamp-screw or set-screw, W, or other suitable device, admitting of detaching and moving vertically the block j' in the case, and thus adjusting' it to the length of the shell or cartridge, which rests on the lid u, and abuts with its mouth against the shoulder e2 in the charging-mouth ofthe loading-block.

To adapt the apparatus for use in connection with guns of various caliber, the loadingblock f is either divided horizontally below the charging-mouth el, as indicated by line, V, Figs. 3 and 4? of the drawing, or vertically, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4f, and 4b, or both horizontally and vertically, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4'. In the horizontally-divided block the lower section is provided with apertures r of a size to receive the largest shell or cartridge. The upper section or loading-face is detachably connected to the lower section, so as to admit of interchanging the former with plates having charging-mouths of different sizes.

In the vertically-divided loading-block each section is to be provided with its own fastening and adjusting device, so that the apparatus can be adapted for use in connection with two or more guns of different caliber at the same time. The extra sections of the loading-block are carried in the compartments 8 and 9, before described.

To facilitate the loading or charging of the shells or cartridges, I construct the chargingmouths of the loading-block with a straight cylindrical entrance, c, above the tapering compressor e, as best seen in Fig. 5 of the drawing. This cylindrical part serves as a seat for the road, and brings it to a horizontal position before being forced down through the compressing part e1 and into the shell.

The loading-block f serves two functions, one as a means for holding' the shells or cartridges while charging them, and the other as a case or box for carrying them either loaded or empty. v

It is obvious that the arrangement of the compartments in the case admits of many variations and modifications, and I therefore do not confine myself to any specific arrangement of same.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination and arrangement, with the case A', of the loading-block f. supported adjustably in its position above the bottom of the case, for the purpose of accommodating shells or cartridges of various lengths, substantially as described.

2. The loading-block f, when constructed of two horizontal sections, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of March, 1878.

HENRY VATKEYS.

Witnesses: l

T. C. LAAss, H. HILL. 

